The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1887-05-08
Enforcing Sunday Laws.

New York Washington and several other
cities are considerably agitated by the en-
| forcelnent of the law which prohibits the
sale OF Intoxicating liquors on Sundays. In
New York, particularly, there is great
deal of excitement. Mayor Hewitt is en-
forcing the law by arresting all who violate
it. Last Sunday, and the Sunday before
last, the number of saloon-keepers arrested
was large, and it is probable that the num-
Der to-day viii exceed that of last Sunday.
No attempt has been made yet to arrest
hotel-lleepers who supply their guests with
liquors at their meals, but they have been
notified that sales OF liquor i'll that way will
no longer be permitted. The leading hotel
keepers have formed an association to test
the law, and a contest in the courts may be
expected
When the law was passed it was not gem
orally thought that it would he enforced.
The politicians yielded to the sentiment in
favor Of it and depended upon the authori-
ties to wink at its violation. The saloon
keepers offered very little opposition TO
the enactment of it because they were
satisfied that it would not materially
interfere with their business They
did not take into consideration the pos
sibility of the election of such a man as
Mr.. Hewitt is for Mayor. Knowing their
power in elections, they felt confident that
no government of the city would oppose
their wishes For once they were mistaken.
Mayor Hewitt is not opposed to the sale
of beer on Sundays, but he does object to
the sale of whisky and other strong drinks.
He believes that the foreign population of
the city, which has been educated to beer
drinking ON Sunday would be much better
satisfied and much more peaceful if beer
were sold on Sundays as on other days He
does not permit his views, however, to in
terfere with the enforcement of the law.
He doesn't believe in multiplying a law by
permitting it to become a dead letter. The
people Of New York therefore, if they want
whisky and beer on Sundays must have the
law repealed. The course he is pursuing is
the right one. If one law is evaded the
respect for other laws is diminished. Laws
are made for the benefit Of society. No Of
fetal has the right to nullify any
one of them by permitting it to be violated
with irnpunity. The official who adopts
such a policy is unworthy of the trust re-
posed in him. If law is thought to be
bad one let it be enforced in order that pub
lie sentiment may be crystalized against it,
In that way its repeal may be brought
about.
The saloon-keepers Of New York, as well
as elsewhere, are responsible for laws
against liquor selling on Sundays. If per-
mitted to carry on their business under GER
tain restrictions they violate their privilege
They are no sooner granted one point than
they take two. They cease to respect the
wishes and feelings of those who regard
Sunday as a day for worship, and sell
whisky freely to all who want it. The
consequence is that the streets are
INSTRUCTED by noisy, drunken men, who, by
| their brawls and fights and other disorderly
| conduct, make it impossible for those who
respect the Sabbath to enjoy the day as they
were SO conducted on Sundays as not tc
| force itself upon the attention of the public
| the demand for restraining laws would not
be so imperative as it is Until those who
sell whisky and beer consent to recognize
| that order-loving, church-going people arr
| entitled to freedom from exhibitions o.
drunkenness and from disturbances caused
| by whisky, they may expect the enactment
and enforcement of laws against the sale o.
/ Intoxicating liquors ON Sundays.l